Yep, it would be just like a game invite. There would be an alert message in chat saying "spinner has invited you to start a private chat session" or whatever, and you can then accept at a time thats suitable for you.

I think for simplicity, be it invites or the already mentioned start minimised, should be implimented across the board in this case, or at least be the default option.

Well, if we solve the problem instead of focusing on the entirely wrong part of this thing, the debate about whether or not we should have rules against this and/or punish those who do it would be moot.

I like spinner's idea about an invite mode, but it is needlessly complex, requiring attention on the part of the receiver and most importantly: Easily forgotten if not opened right away. At least this invite would have to have no timeout (or a very long one, possibly with a secondary reminder after a few minutes), as opposed to the game invites.

On the whole, I think it would be much better to simply open PM windows minimized. That way you have in fact a new window on your tool bar, making it harder to forget to open it once you get the time, but without being intrusive.

ive just had toughchelsea trying to do it to me but i pressed ignore user

Naming and shaming...tut tut

sometimes it has to be done

No it doesn't.

yes it dose

So your saying that it has to be sometimes? So your also saying that its ok to break the forum rules sometimes? They apply 24/7, they don't just "switch off"

Anyway back on topic, it is annoying, put just block pms if it bothers you that much.

Maybe you caught the wrong end of the stick Damee. I would interpret that it was the "naming and shaming" that "had to be done"

Anyway, it's so easy just to open a PM and keep it minimised! That way, even if he does put you off you are effectively ignoring him

Well it had slipped under the radar until you posted again. ul

this just happened to me too, the other player pm'd me just as i was potting the black to purposefully put me off and then laughed at it, lost the game and it was an important game. I'll learn from it but still furious about it, can i name and shame??

No naming, no

And as frustrating as it is, until we can get a proper solution to this, please remember to just click the name of your opponent and minimize the PM window at the start of the game.

I've learnt from Spinner. In tourneys, I open up a PM with him at the start of the game and keep it minimised.

As I only play friendlies, this doesn't affect me that much